Although the conventional wisdom tells us that solar power, battery technology, and smart grids are far in the future, we are only a breakthrough or two away from a new age of decentralized energy technology.

Humans -- you and I and the rest of the world's seven billion people -- possess the means to reign in the degradation of the environment. Nature cannot defend itself against the damage that society creates. It is up to us to chart a wiser path.

I have been anxiously awaiting an alternative to conventional electric power and the economic benefits that follow. Of course solar comes to mind, and while I love solar power, it can be expensive and because of the space requirements for panel installation, and is not for everybody.